Endoscope Tip Housing With Light Shield for Stray Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope tip parts suffer from limitations such as fixed applications, poor light distribution leading to vision quality issues, and susceptibility to stray light, which affects image quality. Additionally, they are not easily miniaturized for use in narrow body cavities and are costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A tip part for endoscopes is designed with a vision receptor, a first lens, and a casing that supports the lens and vision sensor, integrated with a light shield to prevent stray light ingress. This design allows for miniaturization, reduces assembly costs, and enhances image quality by maintaining precise lens positioning and reducing stray light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source is positioned close to the vision sensor to illuminate the field of vision, then illumination intensity is improved, but stray light ingresses into the vision sensor causing poor image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into distinct functional zones: a light source accommodation zone, a vision sensor accommodation zone, and a light shield zone. This segmentation allows the light source to be positioned for effective illumination while the light shield prevents its light from reaching the vision sensor directly, resolving the stray light problem.
Solution Approach 2:
A light shield structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the light source and the vision sensor. This light shield acts as a mediator that blocks direct light paths from the light source to the vision sensor, preventing stray light ingress while allowing the light source to maintain its illuminating function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tip part is miniaturized for use in narrow body cavities, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components are merged into a single integrated housing structure. The light source accommodation, vision sensor accommodation, and light shield functions are combined within one housing unit, reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps while maintaining miniaturization for narrow body cavity applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as the light source accommodation, vision sensor accommodation, and light shield structure. This universal design approach reduces manufacturing complexity and precision requirements by eliminating the need for separate components for each function.
3Ease of manufacture
If the tip part is designed for disposable use to reduce costs, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but reliability and sealing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the integrated housing structure itself, eliminating the need for separate sealing components. The housing design incorporates sealing features directly into its structure, maintaining reliability for protecting electronics from humidity while keeping the disposable design simple and cost-effective.
4Ease of manufacture
If the casing is made as a separate component to maintain lens positioning, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but device complexity and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The casing function is merged into the integrated housing structure, eliminating the need for a separate casing component. The housing itself provides the structural support and positioning functions for the light source and vision sensor, reducing device complexity and assembly steps while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through the integrated design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed tip part enables miniaturization for use in narrow cavities, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves vision quality by minimizing stray light and maintaining precise lens positioning, thus addressing the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
a light shield positioned between the vision receptor and the first light source so as to prevent ingress of stray light from the first light source into the vision receptor by optically shielding the vision sensor
Implementation Method 2
a first lens... a vision receptor having a vision sensor for providing an image from received light
Data Source
AI summary
A tip part for an endoscope has a vision receptor having a vision sensor for providing an image from received light, a first lens, and a casing, the casing supporting the first lens so that the casing substantially maintains a position of the first lens in relation to the vision sensor; a first light source; an exterior housing; and a light shield positioned between the vision receptor and the first light source so as to prevent ingress of stray light from the first light source into the vision receptor by optically shielding the vision receptor; wherein the casing is formed integrally with the exterior housing so that the casing also substantially maintains the first lens in a position in relation to the exterior housing.